FAITH AND FOOTBALL

I have often told people, "God doesn't care two hoots about my golf game." I've usually said that right after making a shot that causes a fellow player to comment, "You must have Someone Up There who likes you." People like to say that to pastors, even retired ones. So I usually respond, "Naw, God doesn't care two hoots about my golf game." And the way I usually play golf, I'm convinced He doesn't.

But this fall I've added, "or pro football." And yet after last Sunday and watching the Denver Broncos pull out another come-from-behind win, winning the 7th of their last 8 games, I am wondering whether or not that's correct. Maybe God does care about pro football and He is telling us something through it this season.

Now, hopefully you won't skip the rest of this WEEKLY MESSAGE, viewing it as just another article on a certain pro quarterback who has received more publicity than he probably deserves. But I would like to examine for a moment whether or not there is anything too small for God to be concerned with.

Articles on this person usually center on whether or not he should be so public and vocal about his faith. I think what he does - taking a knee after a touchdown or pointing to the sky - makes a lot of people uneasy. Most fans would rather just watch the game and then, 1) rehash it to show their knowledge of players and teams, or 2) give their most recent prognostication or the season's outcome, or 3) philosophize on pro football in general, especially on how it used to be, or how they'd fix it if given the chance.

But not some oddball (lucky?) quarterback giving God thanks! Can't a person have just one area of life that avoids God talk? Yes, we all know of a team that "really believed" and somehow lived the dream of the "impossible season." But can't we just leave God out of football? (God is surely not ignored in sports bars - you hear His name mentioned there quite often)

Leave God out of football? Go ahead and do it - you have my blessing. But there is still a part of me that asks, "If we really believe God is almighty and cares about us, is there anything too small or insignificant for Him not to be concerned with?" If He can number the hairs on head or keep track of those irritating dirty little sparrows, might He not also hear us and our prayers, even the ones about the outcome of a football game?

This young quarterback is just living his faith, doing what he's been doing since he was a child and gave his life to Jesus. Somewhere in life he promised to vocally thank Jesus whenever something good happens, and he's kept his promise. Like St. Paul says, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Maybe the armchair quarterbacks and those all-knowing sports pundits out there should chill out and let him play his game.

If God does care about every aspect of our life, maybe now's the time to thank Him for making a couple of teams really interesting to watch. By the way, Packer's quarterback Aaron Rogers is also a fine Christian, a man who has also dedicated his life to Jesus Christ. And so far his Green Bay team is undefeated, with a string of wins over two seasons longer than any team in NFL history. Some guys are just less vocal about their faith. I wonder how many other Christian athletes there are?

Maybe God really does care about my golf game - maybe just one hoot?